ROMANS 8: 18-28

THE MEN’S GROUP BIBLICAL EQUIPPING – MARCH 10, 2004

18
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing
with the glory about to be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits with
eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation
was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who
subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its
bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of
God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains
until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first
fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the
redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is
seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for
what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26
Likewise the spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to
pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for
words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the
Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of
God.
28
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.

Background
Writer: Paul, as a letter to friends in Rome, not to a specific church, but to an
emerging Christian community. He wrote the letter from Corinth. He was
laying the groundwork for what he hoped would be a future visit (he had never
been there). As it turned out, he did come to Rome two years later – in
chains.
Date: About 56-57 AD.
What’s Going On: In Rome, there were more Gentile believers than converted Jews.
Paul focuses the book mostly around the concept of “salvation”: what it is,
how to get it, and what role the Holy Spirit plays in it. Believers are led by the
Spirit, are aided by the Spirit in prayer, and are the first fruits of the Spirit.
St. Matthews Emmaus Groups
Facilitator’s Biblical Equipping: Jan-April 2004

ROMANS 8: 18-28
THE MEN’S GROUP BIBLICAL EQUIPPING – MARCH 10, 2004

Explore:
1. What does Paul mean by the creation and how was it subjected to
futility?
2. What are believers hoping for that they cannot see?
3. How does the Spirit help believers in prayer?

Connect
1. What are your prayer weaknesses? Do you feel the presence of
the Holy Spirit in your prayer?
2. What do you hope for that you cannot see? (May need to ask this
after Explore Q #2)
3. Given what has happened recently in our community, what is your
reaction to verse 28?

Prepare
Everyone writes down how they plan to apply the concepts discussed here to
their daily life in the ensuing week. We will discuss how that went during
Check In next week.